Endoscopic endonasal management of encephaloceles in children: An eight-year experience

Abstract

Objective Skull base encephaloceles are difficult to diagnose and to treat. Traditionally, they are approached externally via craniotomic routes. Endoscopic management of skull base defects is the standard treatment in adults. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic endonasal repair of basal encephaloceles in the paediatric population. Methods Retrospective evaluation of paediatric encephaloceles managed endoscopically at a tertiary referral centre. Results Eleven subjects fitted the criteria of the study. Mean age at surgery was 6.1 ± 4.6 SD years, while mean follow-up was 46.5 ± 28 SD months. Most of the defects were located in the anterior cranial fossa. All patients were managed successfully with no complications. Conclusions Endonasal endoscopic management of congenital encephaloceles is feasible in paediatric patients. Meticulous pre-op neuroimaging is of paramount importance when dealing with such cases.